The
Democrats are having trouble recruiting an elite candidate to run against the 74-year-old Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who was once untouchable but has watched his approval rating drop since mid-February, when the
There is a good reason many of the top-tier Democrats don’t want to run against him: He’s Pete. Though his approval rating has fallen from 64 percent to 54 percent in two months, he still won’t likely to lose the election.
But there are other reasons this is a great race for an up-and-coming Democrat.
Domenici has had some health problems, and the scandal has taken its toll. A number of sources in
Let’s be honest: Though Domenici has made very clear his intention to run and is already raising money, there’s a chance, however slight, that health problems will force him to retire.
I hope that doesn’t happen. It would be a sad end to his career, and I prefer people continue to serve or are defeated based on what they’ve done, not their health. But there’s an outside chance health will become an issue.
In addition to the health factor, former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, whose name was added to the list of attorneys who would be fired last year only after the now-famous phone calls from Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., has honed his message. He appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last week and gave his most polished performance yet. (Watch the video by clicking here.)
“What they wanted me to do was come up with some bogus prosecutions with no evidence of voter fraud, that’s No. 1,” Iglesias said. “And, No. 2, they wanted me to rush indictments against Democrats who were engaging in corrupt activities. I couldn’t do that because the case wasn’t ready. It was that simple.”
“I took an oath to support and defend the constitution, not the Republican Party of New Mexico,” he said.
Iglesias is refining his message the same way Republicans gradually refined their attacks last year against
Running against Domenici with the senator’s health and the
But an up-and-comer would gain even by losing the race, as long as he or she made a decent run against Domenici. And, with the slight chance that Domenici might bow out of the race, that Democrat would be well positioned.
Some potential candidates
State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, who still hasn’t announced whether he’ll run against U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce next year, is one who might want to consider the race against Domenici. He’s well-known and respected by Democrats and moderate Republicans. He had more success with ethics reform than any other lawmaker this year. One of three ethics bills backed by the governor that passed was sponsored by Cervantes, and he also convinced his peers to approve a whistleblower law he proposed.
I can see the commercial now:
“In October 2006, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici tried to pressure former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to issue indictments against Democrats in a public corruption scandal to help his friend, Congresswoman Heather Wilson, win re-election. When Iglesias refused and put the law above partisan politics, Domenici had him fired.”
“Meanwhile, State Rep. Joseph Cervantes was drafting a law that would protect whistleblowers who report government corruption and fraud, and another that would ensure that state contracts are awarded to the most qualified bidders, not those with inside connections.”
“While Domenici was trying to abuse the system for his own purpose, Cervantes convinced his colleagues and the governor to enact laws that would stop abuses in state government.”
And so on. I’m not trying to promote a potential Cervantes candidacy, but you get the point.
Some others who might be able to distinguish themselves against Domenici are state Auditor Hector Balderas, state Rep. Jose Campos, Public Regulation Commissioner Ben R. Lujan, or anyone else who has worked his or her way into influence but isn’t among the top Democrats in the state.
Win the race, and you’re in the Senate. Lose, but come close, and you’re in the top-tier of New Mexico Democrats.
It’s like what Bill Richardson did in 1980, running in a race against Manuel Lujan everyone said he couldn’t win. He lost by only 1,000 votes, and became the king of the mountain.
Domenici is aging and he’s ethically vulnerable for the first time in his career. A young, energetic candidate could make a name out of taking him on. Will any have the guts to take the risk?